By Our Reporter
The crisis rocking the process of picking a new Awujale of Ijebuland has widened, as the Afobaje Council on Friday faulted the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya, for sending a letter to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and referring himself as the head of the Council.
The Daily Crucible reports that Chief Adesanya had, in a controversial and viral correspondence to the state governor, allegedly signed the letter as the head of the Ilamuren kingmakers. However, the Olisa quickly distanced himself from the letter, insisting that it did not originate from him.
The revered chief, popularly referred to as the Mayor of Ijebu-Ode, believes that individuals seeking to tarnish his reputation were behind the controversial document.
Also, the Ogun State Government through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, dismissed as fake and inconsequential the said letter allegedly written by the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, recommending five princes for consideration as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
The government urged members of the public to disregard the document, insisting that the process for selecting a new Awujale remains suspended and that no official communication has been received from the appropriate authorities regarding the exercise.
The controversial letter, dated April 14 but reportedly acknowledged on June 15, claimed that kingmakers, acting in line with Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957 and the customary laws guiding succession to the Awujale stool, had shortlisted five princes for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s consideration.
The princes named in the purported recommendation are Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye, Prince Isiaq Ayodele Adewale Adekoya (Eleruja), Prince Onabanjo Abimbola John, Prince Oluwaseun Waheed Omopenu Onanuga, and Prince Olabode Onanuga.
According to the letter, Governor Abiodun was expected to make a final selection from the list of nominees.
However, the Afobaje Council led by Chief Sunny Kuku, however dismissed that notion, saying that the Council has not conferred any such rights on Adesanya.
The Council members, in a statement jointly signed, said the Olisa has no authority to parade himself as their leader.
They also faulted the Olisa for referring to himself as “Alaiyeluwa”, a title reserved for the crowned traditional rulers.
The statement was signed by six members of the Council led by Chief Sunny Kuku, the Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu.
Others are Chief Kunle Ogunade, the Apebi of Ijebu; Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal, The Olootu Ifore; Chief Lekan Osifeso, the Olootu Olowa; Chief Okenla, the Kakanfo; and Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, the Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode and Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council.
The statement reads:
OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO THE PURPORTED LETTER OF CHIEF RASHEED ADEOYE ADESANYA, THE OLISA OF IJEBU ODE TO THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE ON THE FILLING OF THE AWUJALE STOOL.
The attention of the Awujale Afobaje Council has been drawn to a letter dated 14th April, 2026, circulating in the public domain, purportedly authored by Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.
In the said letter, Chief Adesanya referred to himself as “Alaiyeluwa,” an appellation traditionally and exclusively reserved for a reigning Oba. As the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Adesanya, is not a crowned monarch, the use of such a title is inappropriate misleading and even criminal under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.
More importantly, Chief Adesanya claimed in the same letter to be the Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council. This assertion is categorically false and contrary to the facts as contained in the Minutes of the Council’s meetings.
It is also pertinent to state that the Secretary to the Ijebu-Ode Local Government was present as an observer in the meetings that were held by the Council as required under Section 16.1(d) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.
The Chiefs Declaration of Western Nigeria, 1957, clearly stipulates the recognized Kingmakers (Afobaje) of Ijebu Ode who are vested with the responsibility of selecting an Awujale. These are:
1. The Olisa of Ijebu Ode
2. The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu Ode
3. The Egbo of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
4. The Apebi of Ijebu Ode
5. The Olotufore of Ijebu Ode
6. The Olotu-Olowa of Ijebu Ode
7. The Ogbeni Odi of Ijebu Ode
8. The Ekeji Odi of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
9. The Oluwo of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
10. The Agbor of Ijebu Ode (Vacant)
11. The Kakanfo of Ijebu Ode
12. The Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode
13. The Balogun of Ijebu Ode
The Declaration is SILENT on who the Chairman is.
However at the inaugural meeting of the Awujale Afobaje Council held at the Aafin Awujale on 2nd December 2025 at 11:30 a.m., all the nine duly recognized Afobaje Chiefs, except those positions currently vacant, were in attendance.
During that meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya,the Olisa, himself nominated the Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, to serve as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council. The nomination was unanimously supported and adopted by all the nine members present.
It is therefore not only dishonest but astonishing and shameful that the same Chief Adesanya now seeks to portray himself as Chairman of the Council. Such a claim is a clear distortion of facts and is hereby rejected in its entirety.
Furthermore, we state unequivocally on behalf of the members of the Awujale Afobaje Council that there was never any meeting of the Council held at either the residence or office of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode. Any assertion to the contrary is false and intended to mislead the public.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Awujale Afobaje Council had convened only four meetings since its inauguration, namely:
1. Inaugural Meeting – 2nd December 2025
Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. At this meeting, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya nominated Chief Dr. Sonny Kuku, Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu, as Chairman of the Awujale Afobaje Council.
2. Second Meeting – 13th January 2026
Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. Representatives of the Olori ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House met with the Council to discuss the criteria and procedures relating to the selection of a new Awujale.
3. Third Meeting – 19th January 2026
Held at the Aafin Awujale, Ijebu Ode. The Fusengbuwa Ruling House formally submitted the names of its nominees for consideration for the Awujale stool.
4. Fourth Meeting – 20th January 2026
The Council commenced deliberations in conclave at the Oriental Hotel for the purpose of evaluating the nominees presented. However, during the course of proceedings, the Council received a letter from the Chairman of the Ijebu Ode Local Government informing it that the process had been suspended. In compliance with lawful authority of the State Government, the Council immediately halted further proceedings.
Since that date, and as law-abiding citizens committed to due process, the Awujale Afobaje Council has not reconvened to continue the selection process.
It therefore comes as a surprise to the Council that Chief Adesanya purportedly arrived at a list of five names allegedly recommended for the Awujale stool. At no time did the Council deliberate on, approve, or authorize such a list. Furthermore, there is no provision whatsoever in the two enabling laws for the said nominations.
Consequently, the purported recommendations contained in his letter represent his personal views and imagination alone and have no connection whatsoever with the Awujale Afobaje Council.
CONCLUSION:
Accordingly, the Awujale Afobaje Council hereby states as follows:
1. That the Council has never held any meeting at the residence or official office of the Olisa of Ijebu Ode.
2. That no correspondence has been received from the Office of the Governor of Ogun State requesting the submission of any list of candidates for the Awujale stool.
3. That the Ogun State Government is a law-abiding institution which ordinarily communicates through the appropriate statutory channels, particularly through the office of the Chairman of the Ijebu Ode Local Government in matters relating to the ongoing process.
4. That the letter currently circulating should be disregarded and treated as a personal and unauthorized communication that does not emanate from the Awujale Afobaje Council.
5. That the contents of the said letter are capable of creating confusion, misinformation, and an unnecessary breach of the peace in Ijebu Ode.
6. That the undersigned members of the Awujale Afobaje Council dissociate themselves completely from the purported selection exercise and the recommendations contained therein.
7. That the Council shall bring this matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities for necessary action in order to safeguard the integrity of the selection process and prevent further unauthorized representations.
We therefore urge all sons and daughters of Ijebu Ode, as well as residents of our ancient kingdom, to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while awaiting the directive of the Ogun State Government regarding the continuation of the selection process for a new Awujale.
The Awujale Afobaje Council remains committed to upholding the law, preserving the customs and traditions of Ijebuland, and ensuring that due process is followed at all times.
We thank the good people of Ijebuland and Nigerians at large for their patience, understanding, and continued support. We assure everyone that the situation remains under control and that the Council will continue to act responsibly in the overall interest of Ijebuland.
May Almighty God continue to guide us aright and preserve the peace and unity of our land.
Amen.
Finally,we urge His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun state to disregard the letter written to him by the Olisa of ijebuode which purports to convey to the Governor a list of some candidates. The contents of the letter are very dishonest,fraudulent, totally irresponsible. We,the Afobajes of the Awujale stool did not authorise it and the contents are totally false!
E-signed:
1. Chief Sunny Kuku – The Olor’Ogun and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu.
2. Chief Kunle Ogunade – The Apebi of Ijebu.
3. Chief Jimi Adebisi Lawal – The Olootu Ifore
4. Chief Lekan Osifeso – The Olootu Olowa.
5. Chief Okenla – The Kakanfo.
6. Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja – The Lapoekun of Ijebu Ode and Secretary, Awujale Afobaje Council.
